Thoughts on the military and military activities of a diverse nature. Free-ranging and eclectic.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Behavior II.

This is coolbert:

"The trouble with the bloody Yanks is that they are overpaid, oversexed, and over here" - - popular British saying from World War Two [WW2].

In the days just prior to D-Day [6 June 1944], there were stationed in England about 1 1/2 million American troops. Poised and readying themselves for the Normandy invasion.

Such a mass of troops in a foreign land just invites trouble. A clash of persons and cultures that can create animosity and mistrust. Something to be avoided at all costs.

Eisenhower was keenly aware of how Napoleon owed many of his victories to having fought coalition forces. Opposition that was not united. Unity was paramount in the mind of Eisenhower. The allied forces of England and the U.S. must avoid discord at all cost.

To prevent and minimize "incidents" that might antagonize and alienate the British public, EACH AND EVERY "Yank" was given a pamphlet to read. A well written andinformative pamphlet informing the GI as to the way they should behave among the English. Correct manners and such.

By and large, the campaign to prevent discord was successful. Amity was achieved, "incidents" when occurring, were dealt with, and the American presence in England for the most part went smoothly. Coalition forces DID defeat the Nazi armies.

Several interesting points:

* The famous anthropologist Margaret Meadhad a hand in the writing of the pamphlet.

* Not so long ago, a British satire comedy was aired on television. Showed how English society, the civility, the politeness, has all declined since 1945. The comedy has as it's basis this American pamphlet. Excerpts from the document were contrasted with modern day English life, showing how thing have worsened.

As usual, I have extracted salient points from the pamphlet: [My comments in bold.]

* "So it is only common sense to understand that the first and major duty Hitler has given his propaganda chiefs is to separate Britain and America and spread distrust between them."

Destroy the allied coalition through distrust and animosity.

* "No Time to Fight Old Wars."

This was specifically addressed to Irish-American troops.

* "British Reserved, Not Unfriendly."

* "Don't Be a Show Off."

* "The British Are Tough."

At one time during the war, the British alone defied Hitler and survived. Tough!!

* "Age instead of Size."

The English are proud of their ancient history and heritage. Rightfully so!!

* "Remember There's a War On."

England was on a war footing with no frills. Even maintenance of normal attractions had to be postponed because of war measures. England at war did not look the same as England at peace. Looks were deceiving.

* "Although you read in the papers about "lords" and "sirs," England is still one of the great democracies and the cradle of many American liberties."

Among the common people of England, there is great emphasis placed upon egalitarianism.

* "Be careful not to criticize the King."

King George WAS an honorable, principled man who led as best he could. Set an example for the rest of society. He had nothing to be criticized for.

* "Britain the Cradle of Democracy."

Rights and freedoms and the very concept of democratic government had their modern origins in England.

* "The Best Way to get on in Britain is very much the same as the best way to get on in America. The same sort of courtesy and decency and friendliness that go over big in America will go over big in Britain."

Here you go. Just be decent, courteous, friendly. What your mother taught you when you were five years old holds true when you are twenty one years old.

* "The British Like Sports. The British of all classes are enthusiastic about sports, both as amateurs and as spectators of professional sports."

* "You will find that English crowds at football or cricket matches are more orderly and polite to the players than American crowds."

More on sports later.

* "You will naturally be interested in getting to know your opposite number, the British soldier, the "Tommy" you have heard and read about. You can understand that two actions on your part will slow up the friendship-swiping his girl, and not appreciating what his army has been up against. Yes, and rubbing it in that you are better paid than he is."

Don't drink his beer, don't steal his girl. The rest is simple. Be courteous, polite, friendly.

* "Keep Out of Arguments."

Obvious.

* "The Briton is just as outspoken and independent as we are. But don't get him wrong. He is also the most law abiding citizen in the world, because the British system of justice is just about the best there is. There are fewer murders, robberies, and burglaries in the whole of Great Britain in a year than in a single large American city."

* "There are housewives in aprons and youngsters in knee pants in Britain who have lived through more high explosives in air raids than many soldiers saw in first class barrages in the last war."

Very, very true!!

* "The British Came Through . . . But you will find that shortages, discomforts, blackouts, and bombings have not made the British depressed."

"In struggle, truth is found!!" - - Russian saying. Very true!!

* "It is always impolite to criticize your hosts. It is militarily stupid to insult your allies. So stop and think before you sound off about lukewarm beer, or cold boiled potatoes, or the way English cigarettes taste."

Intuitively obvious!!

* "Waste Means Lives."

The English had to import fuel, food, etc. Nothing could be wasted.

* "British Women at War . . . There is not a single record in this war of any British woman in uniformed service quitting her post or failing in her duty under fire."

* "Your first furlough may find you in some small difficulties because of language difference."

* "Be friendly but don't intrude anywhere it seems you are not wanted."

* "Don't show off or brag or bluster-"swank" as the British say."

* "Don't make fun of British speech or accents."

* "Never criticize the King or Queen."

* "Use common sense on all occasions."

Many do not do this. Why is that?

* "It is always impolite to criticize your hosts"

* "It is militarily stupid to criticize your allies."

The enemy is Hitler, do not lose sight of that. We are part of a coalition that must not fail.

Now, as to that satiric comedy showing on British television. Some points from the pamphlet bear repeating.

"Never criticize the King or Queen."

NOT anymore!! The current Queen Elizabeth may be immune from criticism, but not the rest of the royal family. Philip, Charles, Anne, etc., all at one time or another have been the brunt of verbal attacks from various quarters. What was not permissible during WW2, while now not common, is not rare either.

"You will find that English crowds at football or cricket matches are more orderly and polite to the players than American crowds."

NOT anymore!! British soccer fans for instance have a notorious reputation for rioting and hooliganism. Even now, during the World Cup in Germany, about 3,000 British soccer fans have been banned. Their reputation is so bad.

"He is also the most law abiding citizen in the world, because the British system of justice is just about the best there is. There are fewer murders, robberies, and burglaries in the whole of Great Britain in a year than in a single large American city."

NOT anymore!! Crime rates in England have soared since the end of WW2. The unarmed English policeman ["Bobbie"] is a thing of the past in many areas of England now!!

This pamphlet is LONG!! And what is the gist?? Be civil, polite, courteous, reasonable, etc. What your mother taught you when you were five years old goes a long way. Will always do so!!